South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs reported that passengers on international services totalled 3.93 million in Aug-2010, an increase of 16.2% over Aug-2009, while adding that cargo volume was also up sharply. The Ministry attributed the strong growth in passenger traffic to the improving economic conditions at home and abroad, and the growth in freight demand to improving foreign demand for Korean semiconductors, displays and cosmetic products. The Aug-2010 tourist traffic data is the largest ever monthly traffic since the Ministry commenced recording tourist data in 1995. Meanwhile, Korea Airport (-1.3%) shares lost ground.